I Have an All-Knowing Mirror

Chapter 122: Resolving Doubts

"I just have to wait for the S-rank evaluation?"

"Is it really that simple?"

Tega Chiyun's head spun. He had never expected happiness to arrive so suddenly.

Could he, Tega Chiyun, truly achieve an S-rank evaluation in the family trial?

Su Yuan looked at Tega Chiyun and patiently explained, "What do you think is the purpose behind the Chiyun Family's trials for its descendants?"

If this had merely been a standard transaction between them, Su Yuan would never have bothered elaborating. He would have simply ensured that Tega Chiyun secured his S-rank evaluation in the end.

However, through the gray mirror, Su Yuan knew that Tega Chiyun would seek his counsel for a very long time to come.

From this arrangement, Su Yuan stood to gain tremendous benefits, eventually even gaining a certain degree of control over the Chiyun Family itself.

Under these circumstances, he naturally treated the young man with quite a bit of patience.

"The purpose of the trial..."Tega Chiyun fell deep into thought.

The Grand Elders had never specified the exact grading criteria for the family trials.

However, since the core of the test took place across ten life-bearing planets and ultimately required extensive management and development data from those worlds...

Perhaps it was a test of financial acumen?

"Is it the ability to make money?"

Tega Chiyun ventured tentatively.

"Financial ability is only a part of it, not the primary focus," Su Yuan said slowly, meeting his gaze. "No matter how strong your earning capability is, or how flawlessly you manage those ten life-bearing planets, the best you would receive is an A-rank evaluation."

"An S-rank evaluation tests entirely different aspects."

Su Yuan's tone was exceptionally calm, entirely devoid of fluctuation.

Tega Chiyun listened obediently, finding Su Yuan's words incredibly logical.

"You are a direct descendant of the Chiyun Family and the biological son of the Patriarch. Thus, the family's trial for you places greater emphasis on whether your actions align with the family's overall future development direction,"

Su Yuan continued.

Simply put, Tega Chiyun only needed to demonstrate that his planetary management decisions synchronized with the Chiyun Family's future strategic goals.

Doing so would guarantee him an S-rank evaluation.

This was why Su Yuan had previously instructed him to adjust his data report. Under the section for key future support projects, he had added increased investments in the branch family members and initiatives to explore the Barren Star Sector.

These were precisely the future development trajectories decided upon by the Chiyun Family.

As Grand Elders of the family, they would inevitably promote descendants who supported their own strategic decisions.

Otherwise, elevating a junior whose views completely contradicted their own into the ranks of High-Ranking Officials would only plunge the family into internal friction.

While it was true that High-Ranking Officials needed diverse perspectives, there absolutely could not be major obstructions when it came to the overarching direction.

"So that's how it is."

Realization dawned on Tega Chiyun.

No wonder he had seen so many of his peers manage their life-bearing planets impeccably, only to walk away with a mere A-rank evaluation in the end.

Financial prowess? That merely accounted for a fraction of the family trial. As long as the baseline was met, it was sufficient.

What the family truly desired was to cultivate successors whose developmental visions aligned with the grand scheme.

"Mr. Ming, your foresight is truly flawless."

Tega Chiyun gazed at Su Yuan with eyes full of sheer admiration.

Although Su Yuan made it sound simple, in reality, how many tacticians could actually pull this off?

First, one had to discern the true focus of the family trial—not wealth accumulation, but ideological alignment with the family's broader course.

That point alone would filter out the vast majority of advisors. At the very least, Tega Chiyun's own personal tactician had completely failed to grasp this.

Secondly.

Even if one understood the crux of the trial.

How would one actually ensure alignment with the family's developmental direction?

The Chiyun Family was a power ranked within the top one thousand of the Canglan Cosmic Human Empire. They had their hands in every conceivable industry, their roots thoroughly intertwined across sectors. The sheer volume of decisions made on a daily basis was vast as the ocean.

To pinpoint the Chiyun Family's primary future trajectory amidst all that?

Easier said than done!

An ordinary tactician would drown just trying to analyze the endless stream of daily resolutions, let alone extract the core strategy hidden within them.

The more Tega Chiyun thought about it, the deeper his reverence grew. He felt incredibly fortunate that he had sought Su Yuan's guidance before the trial. Otherwise, even if he wasn't deemed a useless parasite, he would have been forever barred from the ranks of the High-Ranking Officials.

"Now, you just need to head back and wait,"

Su Yuan said, glancing at him.

"Understood."

Tega Chiyun nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Mr. Ming, if I ever encounter any difficulties in the future, may I still seek your counsel?"

"Naturally,"

Su Yuan replied with a faint smile.

He had explained so much just to bait out those exact words.

The Chiyun Family's treasury held far too many rare treasures and precious resources that Su Yuan desperately needed.

"Thank you, Mr. Ming."

Tega Chiyun's tone became notably lighter and more spirited.

After returning to his Personal Space...

Tega Chiyun did not have to wait long before receiving a notification from a Grand Elder.

"Tega Chiyun, in this trial, you have achieved an S-rank evaluation."

The Grand Elder, an old man with fiery red hair and crimson eyes, looked at Tega Chiyun with pure admiration.

First of all, Tega Chiyun was the biological son of the Patriarch. There were absolutely no issues regarding his bloodline; he was entirely trustworthy.

Secondly, Tega Chiyun's future development directives for the ten life-bearing planets aligned astonishingly well with the family's grand strategic trajectory.

Failing to promote such an outstanding junior would have been utter foolishness.

"Thank you, Grand Elder."

Tega Chiyun's heart pounded with excitement.

Before the S-rank evaluation had officially been announced, he had still harbored some lingering apprehension.

He worried that an unexpected variable might arise, or that there was an angle even Mr. Ming had failed to account for.

But now?

With the S-rank evaluation finalized.

All of Tega Chiyun's doubts vanished into thin air.

"One point five million family merit points have been transferred to you as the reward for this trial. Within the next month, you are to move to the family's home planet and officially participate in our management,"

The red-haired, crimson-eyed Grand Elder said with a smile.

"Understood!"

Tega Chiyun felt a profound sense of validation.

The Chiyun Family had developed over a seemingly endless span of time. Its members numbered in the countless trillions, yet the amount of people permitted to enter the family's home planet? Terribly few.

Any clansman allowed onto the home planet was slated for core cultivation by the family. Barring any unforeseen tragedies, they were virtually guaranteed a seat among the High-Ranking Officials in the future.

After the Grand Elder departed,

Tega Chiyun let out a long breath of relief.

"Two million family merit points..." Tega Chiyun glanced at his merit balance. Without a shred of hesitation, he opened the treasury registry, selected the "Yin-Yang Blood Pool," and finalized the purchase.

Su Yuan had plotted and schemed on his behalf, securing him an S-rank evaluation in the family trial.

In return, his payment was two million merit points to procure this "Yin-Yang Blood Pool" as compensation.

This had been the solemn agreement between Tega Chiyun and Su Yuan.

Tega Chiyun hadn't entertained the thought of breaking it for a single second.

Of course.

He wouldn't dare break it even if he wanted to.

To betray an agreement with such a strategist?

Especially a mysterious tactician like Su Yuan, who knew the Chiyun Family like the back of his hand? A mastermind capable of pulling the strings from the shadows, effectively manipulating the very thoughts of the Grand Elders?

If he offended an advisor of that caliber, Tega Chiyun fully believed he would die without ever knowing how.

Perhaps he'd suddenly be framed for treason and executed the very next moment.

"The destination Mr. Ming asked me to ship this to... is the Imperial Star of the Empire?"

Tega Chiyun faithfully inputted the address Su Yuan had provided and dispatched the "Yin-Yang Blood Pool."

"The Imperial Star of the Canglan Cosmic Human Empire..."

Back on Blue Star, Su Yuan lifted his head, gazing deep into the cosmos toward the coordinates of the Imperial Star.

For his transaction with Tega Chiyun, Su Yuan naturally hadn't been foolish enough to provide Blue Star's direct coordinates.

It wasn't out of fear that Tega Chiyun might harbor treacherous intentions. Through the gray mirror, Su Yuan knew the young man like the back of his hand; he was well aware of the deep reverence the youth held for him. Tega Chiyun wouldn't dare entertain any improper thoughts.

However, just because Tega Chiyun didn't dare scheme didn't mean the Chiyun Family would remain blissfully ignorant.

If Su Yuan had Tega Chiyun ship the "Yin-Yang Blood Pool" directly to Blue Star, his homeworld would inevitably fall under the Chiyun Family's scrutiny.

As a future core priority for the Chiyun Family, absolutely nothing Tega Chiyun did could be hidden from their surveillance.

Spending two million merit points on a "Yin-Yang Blood Pool" he had no use for would already arouse suspicion. Shipping such a treasure to a remote, backward planet would practically be begging for an investigation.

Long before he even initiated contact with Tega Chiyun, Su Yuan had prepared for every contingency. He would certainly never leave behind a vulnerability as glaring as Blue Star's spatial coordinates.

Having Tega Chiyun send the "Yin-Yang Blood Pool" to the Imperial Star, followed by routing it through one hundred and sixty-three separate transit hubs, was more than enough to completely erase the item's shipping trail from the Chiyun Family's purview.

The Imperial Star was the absolute epicenter of prosperity within the Canglan Cosmic Human Empire. Countless prominent figures and titanic factions gathered there.

Even the prestigious Chiyun Family would never dare step out of line on the Imperial Star.

"The Yin-Yang Blood Pool will arrive at the Imperial Star, pass through one hundred and sixty-three transit hubs... I estimate it will reach Blue Star in about two months."

Using the gray mirror, Su Yuan had already calculated the precise arrival time of the "Yin-Yang Blood Pool" and confirmed that there would be zero unexpected variables along the way.

"In two months, I will exactly be a Level 9 Lifeform. The timing is absolutely perfect."

A smile blossomed across Su Yuan's face.

For him, the greatest value of the Yin-Yang Blood Pool lay in the transition from a Level 9 Lifeform to a Level 10 Starry Sky Lifeform. By absorbing the vast currents of Yin and Yang energies contained within it, he could forge a Starry Sky body, entirely skipping the initial stage and catapulting straight into the mid-stage of a Starry Sky Lifeform.

Furthermore, the subsequent phases of a Starry Sky Lifeform would also require the utilization of the Yin-Yang Blood Pool.

Therefore, as long as the Yin-Yang Blood Pool was delivered before he broke through to become a Starry Sky Lifeform, everything was fine.

'The Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth has finished its reset cooldown. It's time to tackle the twenty-first through the thirtieth layers.'

Su Yuan thought to himself.

For other powerhouses and tacticians, every single layer of the Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth subjected them to unspeakable torment.

Each trial was a grueling crucible for a strategist's intellect, fraught with intense agony.

But in Su Yuan's eyes, the Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth was practically free money falling from the sky. With the gray mirror at his disposal, he could clear every layer without the slightest hindrance and reap all the completion rewards.

Moreover, rapidly clearing the Labyrinth served to broadcast his prestige. How had Tega Chiyun found him in the first place? Exactly through the community hub of the Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth.

It could be said that the Canglan Cosmic Human Empire spared no effort in cultivating its strategists. First, it offered corresponding rewards for clearing designated numbers of Labyrinth layers, providing early-stage support for rising tacticians.

Next, it etched the aliases of successful tacticians onto grand steles to spread their renown, thereby attracting various factions to seek their counsel.

This ensured that any tactician with a modicum of talent had a very high probability of smoothly developing their career.

"Let's begin."

With a mere flick of his intent, Su Yuan logged into the virtual network and descended into the Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth.

The twenty-first layer of the labyrinth.

Su Yuan was assigned the identity of a planetary lord.

However, the planet he ruled was currently undergoing integration with the broader universe. The descent of numerous extraterrestrial factions sent shockwaves through the world's indigenous culture, threatening to shatter it.

Even with the existence of the Planetary Life Protection Act, it was dreadfully easy for these cosmic powers to exploit legal loopholes.

The objective of this layer was for Su Yuan to find his own method to help his life-bearing planet successfully integrate into the universe.

'This labyrinth tests one's understanding of various factions and syndicates, as well as the ability to navigate complex relationship disputes. It requires manipulating all parties involved to achieve one's own goals...'

Su Yuan pondered silently.

Unlike the first twenty layers, which were entirely confined to planetary-scale issues, the twenty-first layer had escalated to interacting with extra-planetary forces.

The difference in variables between planetary and interstellar affairs was astronomical; the latter demanded exponentially more factors to be weighed and balanced.

"A true strategist, when still weak and developing, must exploit every available rule, actively adapt to the system, and leverage it to secure their objectives."

Too lazy to waste time on this particular layer, Su Yuan directly queried the gray mirror for the fastest, step-by-step resolution.

The twenty-second layer.

The twenty-third layer.

The twenty-fourth layer.

The thirtieth layer.

On the thirtieth layer of the Ten Thousand Layer Labyrinth, Su Yuan's role was a planetary archon.

The planet under his command was currently facing an invasion from a hostile force.

The clearance objective was simple: secure absolute victory in the ensuing war.

"Interstellar war!"

Su Yuan instantly recognized the sheer difficulty of this layer.

Even a conventional war fought on a single planet required constant evaluation of global geopolitical tensions, complex factional relationships, the combat effectiveness of one's own military, the proper deployment of commanders, external weather and environmental factors, rear-guard logistics and supply lines, troop morale, and countless other elements.

Only by balancing a near-infinite number of unforeseen variables could a general ever hope to achieve victory on the battlefield.

This was the ultimate litmus test for a tactician's strategic depth. Some advisors could seamlessly command armies hundreds of thousands strong with effortless grace, while others would suffer paralyzing headaches and plunge into chaotic disarray trying to manage a mere ten thousand troops.

If planetary warfare was this complex, it went without saying what an interstellar war spanning dozens or even hundreds of planets entailed.

The multitude of angles a strategist had to consider to command a war of that magnitude was utterly beyond comprehension.

'The Empire's ultimate goal in cultivating strategists is war,'

Su Yuan thought silently to himself. Only by commanding a battlefield and clinching the final victory could a tactician prove their true worth.

"An interstellar war!"

Su Yuan's expression turned faintly solemn.

This layer had undoubtedly trapped a massive number of advisors.

After pondering for a moment,

Su Yuan delved deep into his sea of consciousness to query the gray mirror.

The thirtieth layer.

Cleared!